CANTON, Ohio — The family of a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy says their daughter is afraid to leave her home because she is being bullied by her 9-year-old neighbor and his father. They even have video to prove it.

Hope Holcomb’s mother said the trouble with the boy started last year on the school bus. “She was miserable she didn’t want to ride the bus, cried every morning,” said Tricia Knight. ”He treats her like crap, and most recently the dad got involved.”

After calling police on the family because of their son destroying Halloween decorations in their yard, Hope’s grandmother decided to record any possible retaliation the following day. What she captured was the boy and his father, William Bailey, walking away from the school bus with exaggerated limps.

“It makes me sick too, to think that a grown man would tease a 10-year-old disabled girl that has never done a thing to any of them for no reason, and now she doesn’t want to get on the bus to go to school,” said Hope’s father, Mike Knight.

Bailey, who was once found guilty of aggravated menacing in a separate case, would not talk to reporters, but his wife did. She says the two families are feuding and that they are both guilty of calling each other names. As for the video of her husband and son, she doesn’t understand what the big deal is. “He did get out of the car, you’ve seen the video I am sure, my kid was walking like, but no offense to Hope so why they are taking it that way, I have no idea,” Vickie Bailey said.

Unless both her husband and son were hit with a stroke moments before Hope’s grandmother started filming, I’m guessing Hope’s family is taking offense to a grown man and his young son making fun of their child’s disability.

Hope’s family says they never had an issue with their neighbors until the end of last school year when the 9-year-old boy started bullying Hope. Despite numerous conversations with the boy’s parents and the school, nothing has been done to stop it. They say the school claims to have a zero tolerance policy towards bullying, but they have yet to see it.

Both families have filed complaints with the prosecutor’s office but no criminal charges have been filed. The prosecutor says she will review the reports and meet with the families next week to determine what, if any, charges should be filed. A Facebook page has been created for Hope, so check it out for all the latest news regarding this incident.

I’m sure the adults in both families are guilty of different levels of childish behavior, but the following video does seem to show William Bailey swinging for the fences. If he’s not regretting that decision now, I am sure he will be soon.

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